my set of picks

by **seahawk** » 5 Oct 2004 17:32

what hpc set do you all have?

by **Romstar** » 5 Oct 2004 18:35

I'm a fan of the HPC sets.

For the basic set, get the Novice set.

If you want to go bigger, look at the Deluxe and the Superior sets.

Also, you can check out the Pro Mixer set it's a nice collection of regular and 2000 series.

I have the Superior pick set, I added several 2000 series to round it out alone with a bunch of my own picks.

Romstar

by **skold** » 5 Oct 2004 18:38

I find that a large hpc set has many 'repeats' of picks, either the same or similar.

but im guessing that would be the same with most brands

by **Romstar** » 5 Oct 2004 18:42

You might think that I'm crazy, but I use a fair number on non-handled picks. It really does depend on the lock I am working on.

Take a good look at the superior pick set. It is one of the better ones for normal picks.

For unique picks, the PIP 2000 stainless series, and the Comp-U-Picks are excellent choices.

Romstar

by **Varjeal** » 5 Oct 2004 18:53

Yeah..you're crazy.

by **Romstar** » 5 Oct 2004 19:18

Varjeal wrote:Yeah..you're crazy.

Um, POT, this is the kettle calling......

by **Luke** » 6 Oct 2004 3:22

Dear god he needs to get out more...

Well my HPC set is as follows.... the NEW NDPK case, a hook, diamond, rake's of standard HPC. Deforest, hook, ball and a rake of HPC 2000... 5 tensioners in my case.... (about 30 customs in my drawer... THATS AFTER A CLEAN OUT!!) I also now carry a couple of LAB shims and a couple of Home brews...

Keep it high up there in the sky,
Luke Cahir!

by **Eagerpicker** » 6 Oct 2004 5:39

Hmm... Perhaps there should be more emphasis on the "personal preference" side to loudly voiced opinions.

I have used SouthOrd picks almost exclusively for over a year on a variety of locks. Not one of them has been bent or broken. I have not had the opportunity to try HPC picks, but from what I can tell from looking at detailed pictures and photos of even the 2000 series, the tangs are just too wide to allow for precise manipulation in paracentric keyways. Almost all locks I have come across have paracentric keyways. SouthOrd's slimline picks on the other hand work just fine.

Since people keep suggesting SouthOrd picks are made from stainless steel as opposed to the "superior" spring steel, here's a quote from the S.O. website: "SouthOrd Lock Picks are manufactured of full hard spring stainless steel (...)" Isn't that the best of both worlds? It-is-all-a-matter-of-preference... :roll:

by **^kimba^** » 6 Oct 2004 5:43

I have a wide mix of Picks, although the only full set I have is South Ord, I do have some HPC. End of the day thou, no matter how good the kit you have, the skill is in the use.

It's like watching a load of graphics designers argue with cyrptographers over whether PCs and MACs are better. *bangs head on wall*

by **Eagerpicker** » 6 Oct 2004 5:49

*hands ^kimba^ an aspirin*

Well, exactly.

:wink:

by **Romstar** » 6 Oct 2004 16:47

Now I am going to have to buy another SouthOrd set just to make some comparisons.

Yes, the regular HPC picks do have standard tapered tangs. The stainless series or 2000 series have smaller, thinner tangs.

After all is said and done, I sand/stone all my picks regardless of who made them. I have found the HPC needs this much less than other brands.

As for the type of steel, I too make picks from spring stainless. The problem is that it is hard to get the proper spring characteristics out of stainless alloy steels. This tends to make the steel expensive. So, either you have cheaper steel, or more expensive picks.

The other problem I have with SouthOrd picks is their use of a weld on their handles. Yes, you can weld stainless, but it doesn't take as well as normal steels. This has a lot to do with the alloy composition of the steel.

In part, I agree with Kimba. It has a lot to do with the skill, not just the tools you are using. I just happen to like HPC picks. There are others on here that wouldn't be caught dead without their Rytans, or Petersons or LAB picks.

I think at some point I am going to do a basic design call after I get my current designs into production, and publicly viewable. That way I can give credit for anything that is suggested.

Romstar

by **Kwikset** » 17 Oct 2004 2:41

Don't forget Rytans. I love mine.

by **Project** » 17 Oct 2004 12:38

i find my southord rivteds better than my peterson =( i guess im still a newb

by **Luke** » 18 Oct 2004 4:41

I think you mean.

"I find my southord welded handles better than my peterson picks.

I guess I'm still a n00b, w00t!"

my set of picks

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